Ashtray with use indicator

ABSTRACT

An ashtray with interconnected indicator means for showing use thereof. The indicator means is particularly useful for ashtrays that are mounted in aircraft seat armrests or in other public conveyances such that only those showing usage need be cleaned by maintenance personnel. The indicator means is tripped by the opening of the ashtray lid, or by a movable snuffer section, so as to show usage, while a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;reset&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; to show a clean ashtray is only accomplished by a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;reset key&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or by a special operation to be effected by the cleaning personnel.

United States-Patent Wellnitz 1 Feb,3,1972

[54] ASHTRAY WITH USE INDICATOR [72] Inventor: Gregory L. Wellnltz,Waterbury, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Universal 011 Products Company, Des

Plaines, 111.

[22] Filed: July 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 55,027

2,555,716 6/1951 Todhunter ..131/235 R X 2,588,537 3/1952 Kelly.....131/242 X 2,673,544 3/1954 Erickson... ,.1 16/1 14 3,095,108 6/1963McKenzie.... ....l3l/242 X 3,137,304 6/1964 McDonald ....13l/235 R3,472,239 10/1969 Gielow et a1. ..131/235 R Primary Examiner-Joseph S.Reich Attorney-James R. Hoatson, Jr. and Philip T. Liggett [57] ABSTRACTAn ashtray with interconnected indicator means for showing use thereof.The indicator means is particularly useful for ashtrays that are mountedin aircraft seat armrests or in other public conveyances such that onlythose showing usage need be cleaned by maintenance personnel. Theindicator means is tripped by the opening of the ashtray lid, or by amovable snufi'er section, so as to show usage, while a reset to show aclean ashtray is only accomplished by a reset key or by a specialoperation to be efi'ected by the cleaning personnel.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures ASIITRAY WITH USE INDICATOR This inventionrelates to'a novel type of ashtray that has indicator means combinedtherewith to show whether there has been usage of the ashtray.

More particularly, the present invention is directed toward a use"indicator means that is interconnected with a lid, snuffer, or othermovable portion of the ashtray, such that a visible indicator means willbe triggered to show that there has been usage of the ashtray.

In connection with large jumbo aircraft, trains, public rooms, and thelike, where the time taken to clean all ashtrays is significant, therecan be a valuable reduction in cleaning time and costs where there is asystem to require a cleaning of only such ashtrays as have been used.For example, in each of the new large jet aircraft there will be from350 to 500 passenger seats, such that if the present practice ofcleaning all ashtrays at the end of each flight is followed there willbe a major expense involved in just effecting the cleaning of ashtrays.On the other hand, if only one-third or one-fourth of the ashtrays areused and these can be readily spotted by the cleaning personnel, thenthere can be a significant savings in time and expense for themaintenance divisions.

It is thus a principal object of the present invention to provide a useindicator in combination with a movable portion of an ashtray such thata cleaning operation can be eliminated in the event the indicator showsno usage of the ashtray.

It is a further object of the present invention to have a reset meansfor the indicator which will embody the use of reset key or tool, orentail a special operation which, in general, is only known by thecleaning personnel, so as to preclude users from toying with theindicator means.

In a broad aspect, the present invention embodies an ashtray unit withan indicator of use means that is adapted for mounting in a seat armrestor other support means, which comprises in combination, an ashreceptacle section adapted for mounting within the support means, amovable actuating member connective with said ashtray and normallymovable upon the use of the latter, a spring-biased slide member movablymounted below the surface of said support means, engagement meansextending between said actuating member and said slide member wherebythere is movement of the latter from a first position to a secondposition upon an initial movement of said actuating member, visibleindicator means connective with said slide member for showing movementof said actuating member, spring biasing means-for aiding the retentionof said side member in its second position and a reset access meansextending through said support means whereby said slide member can bemoved and returned to its first position.

Typically, the movement of the lid of the ashtray may be utilized to inturn move an actuating'member that will be linked to the indicator meanstoshow usage of the ashtray. On the other hand, a movable snuffer memberwithin the ash receptacle might well be used to effect the triggering ofthe indicator means for such ashtrays that may not have a lid or cover.It is also to be realized that various types of rota ing or slidabletype lids may be combined with an ashtray or receptacle and that it isnot intended to limit the invention to any one form of movable lid, orother movable member, in combination with the ashtray to show that ithas been used.

A usage indicator can be directly engaged or linked to the opening andclosing of an ashtray lid; however, in order to preclude a person fromtoying with a lid or other movable member in the ashtray, which in turnis moving the indicator means, it is desired in a preferred embodimentto have the indicator be moved upon an initial movement of the lid orother actuating member and to stay in the tripped position until suchtime as the ashtray has been cleaned and the indicator means reset toshow a clean" or unused ashtray. Thus, a preferred embodiment will makeuse of a special resetting operation which will be known only to thecleaning personnel or, alternatively, will embody the use of a specialkey or tool that can assist in the reset of the usage indicator meansupon the completion of the cleaning operation.

Various types of indicator means as well as mechanisms to move theindicator can be linked to a movable actuating member; however, in oneembodiment, as provided herein, there may be the sliding of a visiblemark into or by an opening or window" section in the armrest or otherashtray support means. Thus, during routine cleaning operations, thecleaning personnel would clean only those ashtrays which would have thevisible indicator means showing a colored mark, or the like, in turnproviding the signal of a used ashtray.

Where the actuating member for the indicator means works in cooperationwith an internal cigarette snuffer, rather than from a movable lid, thenthe reset of the use indicator may be accomplished from a pushbutton,movable pin, or the like, operated from a hidden portion of the ashreceptacle below the lid, or alternatively, from a normally hiddenportion of the ashtray support means. However, where the movable lidserves as the actuating member for the indicator means, then the resetmay well be from a simple reset key, or tool, which is inserted into aportion of the ashtray support means so as to pennit the retention ofthe indicator means to a clean" position upon the completion of theashtray cleaning operation and the closing of the movable lid. The resetkey will, for example, turn a linkage member to hold the indicator in arestrained position, or it may be effecting the mechanical and manualmovement of the indicator mark or flag through the use of a gear and atoothed rack means.

Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following descriptionthereof will serve to illustrate one embodiment of the present improvedashtray unit with its usage indicator means, as well as illustratealternatives in reset means and in variations in construction and designwith respect to the triggering of the usage indicator means.

FIG. 1 of the drawing is an external isometric-type view indicating anashtray with a movable lid in a closed position, an indicator window,and readily available socket means to accommodate a reset tool for amovable indicator meansv FIG. 2 of the drawing indicates, in a sectionalelevation view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, a sliding member which isreleasable for movement upon the opening of the ashtray lid.

FIG. 3, similar to FIG. 1, indicates an isometric view of the ashtrayunit with the lid opened and a colored mark showing through theindicator window.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation view, as indicated by lines 4- 4 in FIG.3, showing the indicator slide mechanism having been moved as a resultof movement from the ashtray lid.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the indicator portion of theashtray, indicated by lines 5-5 and 66 respectively in the FIGS. 2 and4, which show the linkage between the slide means and a reset arm.

FIG. 7 indicates diagrammatically the use of a movable pin memberconnective with a movable cigarette snuffer in the ash receptacle inlieu of a movable pin connective with the ashtray lid.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a partial isometrictype and a partial sectional viewrespectively, indicating diagrammatically the use of a slidable ashtraylid to trip or release a spring-biased sliding usage indicator means.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing, thereis indicated a portion of a seat armrest or other ashtray support means1 adapted to hold a recessed ashtray unit 2 as well as accommodatemovable indicator means and reset means in a manner that will have themprimarily hidden below the upper surface of the support means. There is,however, indicated a windowlike opening 3 in the upper surface of thesupport means so as to see a use" indicator and a recessed socket 4 in atumable mounting 5 in order ,that there may beaccommodation of a resettool, such as air Allen" wrench or the like. In FIG. 1, a rotatable andmovable lid 7 is shown closed and a blank or clean signal indicated inthe window 3, while with respect to FIG. 3, the lid 7 is shown open anda colored indicator mark is visibly showing usage" through the window 3.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, there are indicated end sections 8, rotatable about ashaft means 9, and connective with the lid means 7 such that the latterrotates approximately 90 to provide access to the ash receptacle orinterior portion of the ashtray unit 2. As best shown by FIG. 2, one endmember 8 for rotating lid 7 is provided with a pin or other projection10 that can rotate in a curved slot 11 within partition plate 12. Itwill also be noted that the pin 10 is adapted to engage a side portionof a shoulder or camlike projection 13 on slide member 14. The latterhas a slotted interior portion 15 engaging guide pins 16 such that itmay move laterally to provide an indication through the window 3 thatthe lid member 7 has been opened. There is also indicated a tensionspring 17 connecting between a fixed pin 18 on plate 12 and a pin 19 onslide member 14, whereby the latter is biased to the right (as shown inFIG. 2) after the lid 7 has been opened and moved downwardly such thatpin 10 has also moved in the arcuate slot 11 out of the way with respectto holding the slide member 14 in its lefthand position. Thus, with anupper portion 20 of the slide member 14 provided with a colored mark 21,as best shown in FIG. 1, and available to move in alignment with theobservation window 3 upon the movement of the lid 7 and of the slidemember 14, there is the desired indication of ashtray usage.

Upon reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that mark 21 on upperportion 20 of the slide member is shown under window 3 to accompanyingthe fact that lid 7 has been opened and the ashtray ready for use. Also,as best noted in FIG. 4, there is shown that there has been movement ofpin 10 in slot 11 responsive to the opening of the lid 7 and anaccompanying resulting movement of the slide member 14, due to thespring 17 biasing, whereby the mark 21 on upper portion 20 can come intoalignment with the window opening 3. It will also be observed that sincecam or shoulder section 13 moves to the right, and beyond the initialposition for pin 10 when the lid 7 is closed, that the slide member 14will be retained in the used" position, even though the ashtray lid 7 isopened and shut numerous times after its initial usage. In other words,the present embodiment provides that the slide member 14 and theaccompanying indicator mark 21, visible through window 3, will showusage until such time as slide member 14 has been pulled back or resetinto the initial position of FIG. 2 and the lid 7 closed such that pin10 will retain the shoulder means 13 and the entire slide member 14 inthe clean" position. In this reset position, the use mark 21 is out ofalignment with window 3.

As one means of effecting the reset of the slide member 14 and also ofthe indicator means to the clean position, there is shown the use of thepivotable member 5, having recessed section 4, and an internallyprojecting shaft section 22 in turn having a radial arm member 23 whichis adapted to engage a projecting portion 24 in the slide member 14. Asbest shown by the underneath views, comprising FIGS. 5 and 6, the resetshaft 22 with arm 23 engages an end projection member 24 on slide member14 so as to be able to push the latter to the left against the biasingforce from spring member 17 so as to provide the initial clean indicatorposition. In FIG. 6 there is shown the movement of slide member 14 tothe right, or into a used" position, from the result of opening the lid7. In this case, the rotating shaft 22, with arm 23 has movedapproximately 90 by virtue of the engagement of such arm with the endmember 24.

In order to accomplish the actual reset of the member 14 and itsindicator means 21 after a cleaning of the ashtray receptacle, there isprovided a closing of the lid member 7, a turning of the reset shaft 22,through key or tool means such as 6 in recess 4 of the external portionof the reset means 5, whereby arm 23 will bear against the end portion24 on slide 14 and move the latter from the position of FIG. 6 into theposition of FIG. 5 and FIG. 2. The latter position will then be retainedby virtue of pin 10 bearing against shoulder means 13, as shown in FIG.2, until such time as the ashtray lid 7 is again opened. At the sametime, it is to be realized that the "usage" indicator mark 21, on upperportion 20 of slide l4,

will be moved from the window section 3 to a hidden position under thearm support surface. The use" mark is thus out of sight until such timeas the slide member 14 is released and pulled to the right by springbiasing means 17 upon lid 7 operation, whereupon indicator mark 21 willthen become in alignment with window 3. In lieu of reset shaft 22 andarm 23 there may be an opening 35 in support means or side of arm,opposite end portion 24, such that a rod or other tool can push on suchend portion 24 and effect a reset to the clean position.

It is to be noted that the present invention shall not be limited to anyone kind of usage indicator mark or to any one type of window means,inasmuch as various types of marks or signals may well be mechanicallylinked to the movement of an ashtray lid or other actuating membershowing that the ashtray has been used. Thus, the slide member 14 andthe colored indicator mark 21 comprise merely one embodiment ofindicator or signal means.

With reference to FIG. 7 of the drawing, there is indicateddiagrammatically the utilization of a movable cigarette snuffer member25, within the receptacle section of the ashtray unit 2, and a pinmember 26 connecting to an end portion of such snuffer so as to be ableto move therewith, as well as within slot means 27 provided in thepartitioning plate 12. There is also indicated the use of a compressionspring 28 below snuffer member 25 so that the latter is biased to be ina raised position against the normal downward pushing movement of aperson snuffing out a cigarette against the upper surface of snuffermember 25. The rest of the combined unit, i.e., a slide member with ausage indicator means may be in accordance with that shown in theembodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, with the exception that the pin means 26replaces the pin means 10 and the vertical slot 27 replaces the arcuateslot 11 in plate 12. In the operation of this modified embodiment, upona first usage of the snuffing of a cigarette against member 25 and aresulting downward movement thereof with pin 26 as the holding pin 26moves away from the cam or shoulder member 13 on slide member 14, therewill be the movement of the slide to the right whereby mark 21 can comeinto alignment with the window section 3 and show a usage of the ashtrayunit. The reset operation to be effected by the cleaning personnel,following the cleaning of the ashtray unit, will be in accordance withthe heretofore-described operation where a reset tool or key can turnshaft 22 and arm 23 to pull the slide member 14 to a left-hand positionand let pin member 26 (in lieu of the pin member 10) come into positionagainst the shoulder portion 13 of the slide member 14 so as to hold theslide member in a triggered position for a next usage of the ashtrayunit.

FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawing indicate another variation of the presentinvention to the extent that an ashtray lid 7 is arranged to slide backand forth rather than rotate. Connecting to the lid 7' there is provideda depending member 8 with a pin member 10 and the latter, in turn, isadapted to move within a horizontal slot portion 11' provided inpartition 12. In addition, there is a spring-biased slide member 14mounted to slide on spaced pins 30 and 31 fixed to and extending frompartition 12. A link member 32 is mounted on fixed pin 33 and on a pin34 projecting from the slide 14 as shown in FIG. 9. When the lid 7' isclosed and the slide member 14' is placed in the position shown indotted lines in FIG. 9, the lower portion of the link 32 is biasedagainst the projecting pin member 10' by the spring 17'. Upon openingthe lid 7', the pin member 10' biases the slide 14' initially toward theright as shown in FIG. 9 until the pin member 10' passes below the lowerend of the link 32, whereupon the pin member is caused to assume theposition 10" and the slide the position 14', where it is retained by thebiasing action of a tension spring 17'. Subsequent back and forthmovements of lid member 7' will not effect the movement of slide member14 nor affect the movement of an upper section 20 which can have a use"indicator mark 21' to align with a window 3' or other signal means byreason of the lower end of link member 32 being held above slot 11' andmoving pin 10.

After the ashtray unit'has been cleaned and it is desired to reset theindicator means to show the clean" position, there. will be a closing oflid 7 followed by a reset of slide member 14' (to the right handdirection as shown in the drawing) through the use of an access opening(not shown) and a reset tool" that can be inserted in such opening inthe ashtray support to work against the biasing of spring member 17. Thetool can be a special rod or perhaps a conventional screwdriver capableof pushing member 14 to the original clean position where the use signalwill not show. However, upon a subsequent opening of lid 7' the slidemember 14' will again show the accompanying movement of the signal oruse indicator means and the fact that there has been an opening andusage of the ashtray unit.

It is to be understood that the designs and shapes of the slide members,ashtray lids, snuffer means, reset member, reset tool, spring means, andthe like are merely diagrammatic and not limiting to the presentinvention, inasmuch as other shapes and configurations, as wellasequivalent linkage means, may well be used within the scope of thepresent invention. Also, the present invention should not be limited tousage of an ashtray unit within a vehicle armrest inasmuch as a similartype of indicator system may be used in combination with an ashtray thatis in a stand or within other support means.

I claim as my invention:

1. An ashtray unit with an indicator of use means that is adapted formounting in a seat armrest or other support means, which comprises incombination, an ash receptacle section adapted for mounting within thesupport means, an indicator movement actuating member connective withsaid ashtray and normally movable upon the use of the latter, a slidemember movably mounted under the surface of the support means,engagement means extending between said actuating member and said slidemember whereby there is movement of the latter from a first position toa second position upon an initial movement of said actuating member,visible indicator means connective with said slide member for showingmovement of said actuating member, spring biasing means for aiding theretention of said slide member in its second position and a reset accessmeans extending through said support means, whereby said slide membercan be moved and returned to its first position.

2. The ashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in that saidmovable actuating member comprises a movable lid for the ashtray unit.

3. The ashtray unit of claim 2 still further characterized in that saidmovable lid is rotatably movable.

4. The ashtray unit of claim 2 still further characterized in that saidmovable lid is slidably movable.

5. The ashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in that saidmovable actuating member comprises a movable cigarette snuffer member.

6. The ashtray unit of claim 1 still further characterized in that saidslide member has a member projecting therefrom and said engagement meansextending between said actuating member and said slide member comprisesa projecting portion from the actuating means and is movable therewith,said portion being arranged to engage said projecting member on saidslide member as said actuating member is in said first position, wherebythe slide member is held to an initial position until such time as theactuating member has an initial movement.

7. The ashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in that saidsupport means includes a window section and a visible mark is providedon said slide member in a manner to be in alignment with said windowsection on said support means when said slide member is in its secondposition, whereby said mark shows usage after the actuating means hasbeen moved.

8. The ashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said slidemember has a member projecting therefrom and said reset access meansincorporates a shaft section inserted into the support means and havinga radially extended arm member sized to engage said projecting member onsaid movable slide member, said projecting member and the shaft and armmember being mutually movable such that the latter can move the entireslide member and the indicator mark thereon to said first position,whereby the usage indicator mark is nonvisible until said actuatingmember permits movement of said slide member from a first position to asecond position.

9. The ashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said resetaccess means comprises means providing an opening in the support meansfor the insertion of a tool to in turn effect a pushing of theprojecting member on said slide member to its first position.

1. An ashtray unit with an indicator of use means that is adapted formounting in a seat armrest or other support means, which comprises incombination, an ash receptacle section adapted for mounting within thesupport means, an indicator movement actuating member connective withsaid ashtray and normally movable upon the use of the latter, a slidemember movably mounted under the surface of the support means,engagement means extending between said actuating member and said slidemember whereby there is movement of the latter from a first position toa second position upon an initial movement of said actuating member,visible indicator means connective with said slide member for showingmovement of said actuating member, spring biasing means for aiding theretention of said slide member in its second position and a reset accessmeans extending through said support means, whereby said slide membercan be moved and returned to its first position.
 2. The ashtray unit ofclaim 1 further characterized in that said movable actuating membercomprises a movable lid for the ashtray unit.
 3. The ashtray unit ofclaim 2 still further characterized in that said movable lid isrotatably movable.
 4. The ashtray unit of claim 2 still furthercharacterized in that said movable lid is slidably movable.
 5. Theashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said movableactuating member comprises a movable cigarette snuffer member.
 6. Theashtray unit of claim 1 still further characterized in that said slidemember has a member projecting therefrom and said engagement meansextending between said actuating member and said slide member comprisesa projecting portion from the actuating means and is movable therewith,said portion being arranged to engage said projecting member on saidslide member as said actuating member is in said first position, wherebythe slide member is held to an initial position until such time as theactuating member has an initial movement.
 7. The ashtray unit of claim 1further characterized in that said support means includes a windowsection and a visible mark is provided on said slide member in a mannerto be in alignment with said window section on said support means whensaid slide member is in its second position, whereby said mark showsusage after the actuating means has been moved.
 8. The ashtray unit ofclaim 1 further characterized in that said slide member has a memberprojecting therefrom and said reset access means incorporates a shaftsection inserted into the support means and having a radially extendedarm member sized to engage said projecting member on said movable slidemember, said projecting member and the shaft and arm member beingmutually movable such that the latter can move the entire slide memberand the indicator mark thereon to said first position, whereby the usageindicator mark is nonvisible until said actuating member permitsmovement of said slide member from a first position to a secondposition.
 9. The ashtray unit of claim 1 further characterized in thatsaid reset access means comprises means providing an opening in thesupport means for the insertion of a tool to in turn effect a pushing ofthe projecting member on said slide member to its first position.